Electric vacuum cleaning and cleaning tool control system



W- 25, 1970 J. J. BRESLIN 3,525,876

ELECTRIC VACUUM CLEANING AND CLEANING TOOL CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Jan. 21,1969 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Y JOHN J; BAfSL/N a ATTZJRNEVS UG 3 1970I J. J; BREISLEN 3,525,876

ELECTRIC VACUUM CLEANING AND CLEANING TOOL CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Jan,:21, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JUHN J. BRZSL/N z a! Z ATTOANEVS Aug. 25,1970 J. J. BRESLIN 52 ,8

ELECTRIC VACUUM CLEANING AND CLEANING TOOL CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Jan. 21,1969 s Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR JOHN J. 6/8E5L/N Y I Q 5 ATTORNE Y5United States Patent US. Cl. 30722 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREAn electrical network for the selective energization of two devices, oneresponsive to alternating current, the other responsive to directcurrent, wherein the devices are located at opposite ends of a vacuumcleaning airway and only two electrical conductors communicate betweenthese ends. Thenetwork is a superimposition of an A.C. network upon aDC. network and incorporates A.C. or DC. blocking elements inappropriate branches. Adapted particularly for use in a vacuum cleaningsystem, both power sources and the A.C. energized device are located atthe vacuum producing end, and the DC. energized device is located at thevacuum celaning nozzle with a control station located in the conductionpath therebetween.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvedelectrical transmission and interconnection system, and specifically onewhich interconnects a A.C. power source with a A.C. responsive deviceand a DC. power source with a DC. responsive device, from a commoncontrol station.

The invention is especially directed to a circuit which will allow thecontrol and energization of two devices at opposite ends of a vacuumcleaning airway from one station located at some intermediate positionbetween the two extremes of the airway.

In the prior art, various system have provided circuits to control theenergization of one electromotive device (typically a motor air turbine)physically remote from the control station with the use of a single pairof electrical conductors to the control station. Other systems whichemploy mechanical motion at both ends of the airway have mechanicallytransmitted that motion or have provided a second !pair of electricalconductors running the length of the airway to energize a secondelectromotive device (typically some agitator device at the cleaningtool head). These systems have been used with vacuum cleaners of boththe portable cannister type and the centrally located permanentinstallation type. Although the present invention is directed primarilyto the latter type, it has application to both.

The problem is to achieve control and energization of the devices ateither end of the vacuum airway with a minimum number of conductorsbetween the extremes. In the prior art, separate pairs of conductorswere employed to control the vacuum unit at one end, and to energize andcontrol the agitator device at the other end. It is accordingly aprincipal object of this invention to avoid the shortcomings inherent inthe prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with asystem for controlling the selective energization of two electricaldevices, remotely located from each other, from some intermediatelylocated control station wherein only a single pair of conductors isrequired to transverse the distance between the remote devices. This isaccomplished by superimposing an A.C. network upon a DC. network andinice corporating appropriate A.C. or DC. blocking elements in thevarious branches of the network.

Specifically, at one end of the pair of conductors which communicatebetween the extremes, an A.C. source, capacitor and A.C. responsivedevice are connected between the conductors. Also at this end, a DC.source is similarly connected between the condutcors. A DC. responsivedevice is connected between the conductors at the other end.Intermediately, a switching means electrically interposed in the path ofthe conductors is adapted to selectively interrupt the continuity of oneof those conductors, and alternatively, or in conjunction with thisinterruption of continuity, to selectively connect a shunting capacitorbetween said conductors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The detailed structure and operationof the invention and the foregoing and other objects will become moreapparent when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a portable vacuum cleaningdevice with the elements of the electrical control system schemticallyillustrated;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a centrally located permanenttype vacuum cleaning arrangement with elements of the electrical controlsystem and an additional indicator light circuit incorporated therewithschematically illustrated;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partially in section of a cleaning tooland flexible hose which form one end of an airway in a centrally locatedvacuum cleaning system;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along plane 4-4 of FIG. 3of the interconnection of the flexible vacuum hose with the rigidportion of the cleaning tool, around which a four-position switch isdisposed; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the interconnection taken alongplane 5--5 of FIG. 4, illustrating the details of construction of oneswitch member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS Portable cleaning systemReferring now to the drawings in detail, wherein a portable vacuumcleaning device is depicted in FIG. 1. The device comprises, as itsbasic elements, an A.C. turbine motor 11, an air turbine 13 mechanicallycoupled to the motor and a vacuum airway 15 communicating with andextending from the turbine. A detachable flexible fluid hose 17 isremovably received in a receptacle-type outlet 19 in the airway 15. Atthe end of the hose 17 is a cleaning tool 21 comprising a wand 23, anozzle 25, and a rotary lbrush 27 powered by a DC. responsive, cleaninghead brush motor 29.

Numerals 31 and 32 designate, respectively, first and second conductorsextending from a first location 41 to a second location 42. IncomingA.C. line voltage 44 is connected to the A.C. turbine motor 11 through afuse 46 by means of a set of normally open relay contacts 48. Closure ofsaid relay contacts 48 energizes the motor 11. The input to a full-Waverectifying bridge 50 is similarly connected to the line voltage 44 bymeans of the relay contacts 48. The rectifying bridge 50, connected inthe well known Graetz configuration, serves both as a source ofunidirectional current and a means of limiting the conduction ofalternating current through the parallel branches of said source to apredetermined low level. This limitation occurs because the diodes 50ain the parallel branches will allow current to pass in only onedirection. The output of the bridge 50, with its capacity to conductalternating current so limited, is connected in parallel with the seriescombination of a secondary 3 winding of a control voltage step-downtransformer 52, an A.C. relay solenoid 54 and a blocking capacitor 56;and this network is connected across the first and second conductors 31and 32 at the first location 41.

A three-position switch 58 is located at some intermediate location inthe first conductor 31. This switch is provided to selectively andalternatively: completely interrupt the conductor 31 and the flow pathbetween the concluctors 31 and 32; connect a shunt capacitor 60 betweenthe first and second conductors 31 and 32 while interrupting conductor31 downstream of the capacitor; or continue the continuity of theconductor 31 downstream of the shunt capacitor 60 simultaneously withthe connection of the capacitor between the conductors 31 and 32. At thesecond location 42, the brush motor 29 is connected between the firstand second conductors 31 and 32.

Operation of the portable system With the switch 58 disposed tocompletely interrupt the continuity of the first conductor 31, only theprimary winding of the control voltage transformer 52 is energized bythe A.C. line voltage 44. Half-wave conduction takes place in thecircuit comprised by the secondary winding of the control transformer52, the A.C. relay solenoid 54, the blocking capacitor 56, and twoparallel legs of the rectifying bridge 50. This current so limited isinsufficient to actuate the A.C. relay contacts 48. Thus, the cleaningsystem remains inactive.

With the switch 58 disposed to connect the shunt capacitor 60 betweenthe first and the second conductors 31 and 32, and to interrupt thecontinuity of the first conductor 31, the other half cycle of thealternating current induced in the secondary winding of the controltransformer 52 is conducted through the circuit comprising the A.C.relay solenoid 54, the blocking capacitor 56, the first and secondconductors 31 and 32, and the shunt capacitor 60. In this condition thetotal current through the A.C. relay solenoid relay 54 is sufiicient toclose the relay contacts 48 and thus energize the A.C. turbine motor 11and rectifying bridge 50. The DC. potential thus produced is blocked bythe blocking capacitor 56 and the shunt capacitor 60 in each of theparallel loops. The overall effect of this switch disposition is toenergize the vacuum portion of the system, while maintaining the brushmotor 29 in an inactive state.

With the switch 58 disposed to connect the shunt capacitor 60 betweenthe first and second conductors 31 and 32, and to continue thecontinuity of the first conductor 31, the DC. potential is connectedacross the DC. responsive cleaning head brush motor 29, energizing itwith the power from the rectifying bridge output 50. In this condition,the A.C. component of the potential can transfer no power to the DC.responsive brush motor 29 by the nature of the device, and nosubstantial A.C. component flows therein due to the inductive impedanceof the motor 29. The overall effect of this switch disposition is toenergize both the vacuum and cleaning brush portions of the systems.

Permanent cleaning system The basic pattern employed in the centrallylocated, permanent type vacuum cleaning system is the same as that ofthe portable system, with some minor differences. As illustrated in FIG.2, most elements of permanent systems are identical to those describedin FIG. 1. Accordingly, the fuse 46, the A.C. line voltage 44, the A.C.turbine motor 11, the air turbine 13, the airway 15, the receptacleoutlet 19, the detachable, flexible, fluid conduction hose 16, thevacuum cleaning tool 21, the wand 23, the nozzle 25, the rotary brush27, the DO. responsive cleaning head brush motor 29, the first andsecond conductors 31 and 32, the first and second locations 41 and 42,normally open relay contacts 48, the full-wave rectifying bridge 50 anddiodes 50a, the control voltage stepdown transformer 52, the A.C. relaysolenoid 54, the

blocking capacitor 56, and the shunt capacitor 60, are identified by thesame numbers used for the portable system of FIG. 1. Added to thereceptacle-type outlet 19 is a wall mounted faceplate 62 with anindicator light 64 incorporated therein. The faceplate 62 is located atthe remote end of a permanently fixed rigid fluid conduit 66 comprisingone branch of the airway 15. It should be understood that the otherbranch of the airway, as shown in section, would lead to anothersuitable faceplate. Numeral 58a designates a four-position, rather thana three-position, switch. In addition, there is a step-down voltagetransformer 68 interposed between the incoming line voltage 44 and theinput to the full-wave rectifying bridge 50. The output voltage of thebridge is thereby reduced. The relay contacts 48 of this system are notinterposed in the circuit to the primary winding of the control voltagestep-down transformer 52 and, accordingly, the transformer and thebridge 50 are always in an energized condition, irrespective of thecondition of the A.C. relay contacts 48.

The permanent system also includes an indicating light transformer 70having its primary winding in parallel with the A.C. turbine motor 11,and its secondary winding connected to the indicator light 64 at thefaceplate 62 of the receptacle outlet 19 by means of the first conductor31 and a third parallel conductor 71.

The switch 58a differs from the switch 58 in that it provides a fourthselective condition in which the continuity of the first conductor 31 iscontinued without the imposition of the shunt capacitor 60. As theswitch 58a is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 2, this conditionwould occur when the arched portion of the switch bridges over the leadto the capacitor 60. In this condition, the circuit would function toenergize the brush motor 29, while leaving the turbine motor 11 in aninactive state.

Operation of the permanent system The operation of the circuit in FIG. 2is similar to that of FIG. 1 with the exception that: the circuit ofFIG. 2 includes an indicating light circuit which is energized by therelay contacts 48 simultaneously with the A.C. turbine motor 11; therectifying bridge 50 is continuously energized and the DC. potential ofits output is similarly across the first and second conductors 31 and32; and the switch 58a provides a fourth operating condition. Thisarrangement enables the DO. responsive brush motor 29 to be energizedindependently when the switch 58a is in the latter condition.

Overall operation In both of the systems, with the air turbine 13 inoperation, dirt laden air is drawn in from the cleaning tool nozzle 25and through the cleaning tool 21 and the flexible and rigid conduitsforming the airway 15. Generally, this air is filtered through asuitable collection receptable (not illustrated) prior to its passagethrough the turbine. Simultaneously with the vacuum operation providedby the turbine 13, the rotary brush may be activated to scrub as thecleaning tool 21 is moved across an area to be cleaned. With theembodiment of FIG. 2, it is also possible to activate the brush 27 whilethe turbine 13 is in an inactive state. With the brush so activated, itmay be used for scrubbing operations, such as carpet shampooing, whereit is not desired to apply a vacuum simultaneously with the scrubbingoperation.

The tubular rotating switch FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a preferred form ofthe fourposition switch 58a. As there illustrated, it takes the form ofa separable connection between a female termination at the free end ofthe flexible fluid hose 17 and a mateable male termination 82 at theupper end of the cleaning tool wand 23. Electrical connection betweenthese terminations is provided through exposed metal tubular elements 84and 86 within the termination 80 which mate,

respectively, with exposed tubular metal elements 88 and 90 on thetermination 82. The element 84 is connected to a helical wire within thehose 17 which defines the portion of the conductor'32 extendingtherethrough and the elements 88 and 90 are connected to helical wiresWithin the wand 23 which define the conductors 32 and 31, respectively,therein. Thus, when the terminations 80 and 82 are telescoped togetherin mating engagement, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4,continuity of theconductor 32 is established. At the same time, the switch 58a, as willbecome apparent subsequently, is interposed in the conductor 31 toprovide for the selective switching operation.

It is here noted that the helical wires within the wand 23 are encasedin a flexible hose of relatively conventional character. Connectionbetween the ends of these wires and the elements 88 and 90 is providedby a slidable construction'of the type shown in my Pat. No. 3,258,553.Since'the wand 23 is generally fabricated of metal, an annular insulator92 of electrically nonconductive material is interposed between the wand23 and the element'90.

The prime operating elements of the switch 58a are formed on the femaletermination 80 and comprise an inner annular member 94 fixed to andextending around the element 84 and an outer annular member 96 mountedin opposition to the inner member for rotation relative theretol' Bothof these members are fabricated of electrically nonconductive material.Electrically conductive spring loaded ball bearings 98 are received inthe member 96 for rolling engagement with the surface of the member 94in opposition thereto and selective engagement With detented points100'on this surface. The ball bearings 98, together with electricallyconductive biasing springs 101 and 102 therefor, form two electricalconduction paths through the outer member 96. These paths are designated104 and 106. A metal inlay 108 within the member 94, which inlay isconnected to the helical wire defining the portion of the conductor 31within the hose 17, forms an electrical conductive path within thismember. The connection between the inlay 108 and the conductor 31 isalso of the type shown in my Pat. No. 3,258,553. The shunt capacitor 60of the switch 58a is connected in series with the path 106 through thespring 102 and takes the form of a cylindrical capacitor mounted withinand extending around the member 88.

A first electrically conductive snap ring 110 is mounted withinthemember 96 and slidably received in a groove formed in the outer surfaceof the tubular element 76. This ring extends into contact with thespring 101 and functions to both secure the element 86 to the member 96and establish electrical continuity between the spring 101 and theelement 86. A second electrically conductive snap ring 112 mountedwithin the member '96 is slidably received in an annular groove withinthe surface of the tubular element 84. This ring extends into contactwith the capacitor 60 and functions to both rotatably secure the member96 to the element 84 and establish electrical continuity between theelement and the capacitor 60.

The snap rings 110 and 112 maintain the elements 84 and 86 in assembledcondition at all times, while permitting the member 96 to be selectivelyturned about the element 84. An insulating sleeve 1-14 is fixedlyreceived around and extends over the full length of the element 86extending laterally from the member 96. Thus, both the elements 84 and86 are effectively insulated from exterior contact. The numeral 115designates an insulator sleeve Securely received within the femaletermination 80 to limit penetration of the male termination 82thereinto.

A grip 116 of cylindrical configuration is interposed between the member94 and the flexible conduit 17 and functions to secure the conduitltothe termination 80. A tight frictional engagement is provided betweenthe interior of the grip and the exterior surface of the element 84. Inthe preferred embodiment illustrated, the grip 116 is fabricated of anelectrically nonconductive material. A tubular sleeve 118, also ofelectrically nonconductive material, is tightly fitted within thehelical hose in the wand 23 to maintain the elements 88 and in axiallyspaced electrically isolated relationship. The exterior surfaces of thelatter elements are slidably engaged with the interior surfaces of theelements 84 and 86, respectively, to permit the terminations 80 and 82to be axially separated from each other and provide for removal of thewand 23 from the switch 58a.

The detented points are located in two arcs described by the paths takenby the spring loaded ball bearings 98 as the outer member 96 is rotatedrelative to the inner member 94 and arranged in radially aligned pairslocated at four distinct radii. These radii are designated by thenumerals 120, 122, and 124 and 126. Because of the radial disposition ofthe ball bearings 98, each pair of radially aligned detented points issimultaneously engaged by the bearings. Eachsuch pair of the pointscorresponds to one position of the switch 58a. The first radius 120designates the first switch position, the second radius 122 designatesthe second switch position, the third radius 124 designates the thirdswitch position, and the fourth radius 126 designates the fourth switchposition.

The shape of the metal inlay 108 determines the sequence and conditionof the switch in each of its four positions. As shown, neither of theconduction paths 104 and 106 is continuous in the first position, onlythe conduction path 106 is continuous in the second position, bothconduction paths 104 and 106 are continuous in the third position, andonly the outer conduction path 104 is continuous in the fourth position.The first to fourth positions correspond, respectively, to the conditionwhere the con ductor 31 is completely interrupted; the condition wherethe conductors 31 and 32 are connected through the capacitor 60; thecondition where the conductors are simultaneously connected through thecapacitor 60 and across the motor 29; and, the condition where theconductors 31 and 32 are connected solely through the motor 29.

From the foregoing description it is believed apparent that the presentinvention provides both an improved electric vacuum cleaning system andcontrol circuit therefor.

I claim:

1. A control system for selectively energizing two electrical devicesremotely located from each other from a common control station,comprising:

(a) first and second conductors capable of electrical conduction betweena first location and a second location;

(b) a source of unidirectional current connected between the first andsecond conductors at the first location, said source being capable ofpermitting the flow of alternating current therethrough to but apredetermined limited degree;

(c) a source of alternating current in series connection with acapacitor and an electrical device responsive to alternating current,said source, capacitor, and device combination connected between thefirst and second conductors at the first location;

(d) an electrical device responsive to unidirectional current connectedbetween the first and second conductors at the second location;

(e) switching means for selectively and alternatively;

(1) interrupting the continuity of the fist conductor,

(2) interrupting the continuity of the first conductor and connecting acapacitor between the first and the second conductor on the side of theinterrupted first conductor which leads to the first location, or

(3) continuing the continuity of the first conductor and connecting acapacitor between the first and the second conductor.

2. A control system as described in claim 1 wherein said switching meansis also capable of selectively and alternatively continuing thecontinuity of the first conductor.

3. The control system as described in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the device responsive to alternating current comprises a relaysolenoid,

(b) the source of unidirectional current comprises a full-waverectifying bridge, and

(c) the device responsive to unidirectional current comprises a DCmotor.

4. The control system as described in claim 3, wherein an indicatingmeans responsive to the actuation of the relay solenoid is placed at ornear the switching means.

5. In a vacuum cleaning system having an air turbine driven by an AC.motor and an airway extending from said turbine and terminating at anozzle having motorized agitation means, a control system comprising:

(a) first and second conductors capable of electrical conduction betweena first and second location;

(b) a full-wave rectifying bridge having the output connected across thefirst and second conductor at the first location;

() a pair of incoming line voltage leads;

(d) means adapted to connect the input of said rectifying bridge acrossthe line voltage leads;

(e) a normally open solenoid operated relay electrically interposedbetween the line voltage leads and the motor for the suction pump;

(f) a source of alternating current in series connection with thesolenoid of said relay and a capacitor, said source, solenoid andcapacitor combination connected between the first and second conductorat the first location;

(g) a DC. responsive motor disposed in driving engagement with theagitation means, said motor being connected between the first and secondconductors at the second location;

(h) switching means for selectively and alternatively:

(1) interrupting the continuity of the first conductor,

(2) interrupting the continuity of the first conductor and connecting acapacitor between the first and second conductors on the side of theinterrupted first conductor which leads to the first location, or

(3) continuing the continuity of the first conductor and connecting acapacitor between the first and second conductors.

6. A control system as described in claim 5, wherein said means adaptedto connect said rectifying bridge across the line voltage leads iselectrically interposed between said relay and the motor for the airturbine whereby said rectifying bridge is normally inactive and, uponthe closing of said relay, is activated simultaneously with said motor.

7. A control system as described in claim 5, wherein said switchingmeans is also capable of selectively and alternatively continuing thecontinuity of the first conductor.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,287,623 11/1966 Valancius307-22 3,257,600 6/1966 Tolmie 3202 3,024,739 3/1962 Smith et al. 1041492,872,879 2/1959 Vierling 104-l49 ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary ExaminerH. I. HOHAUSER, Assistant Examiner

